For Immediate Release                                          April 10, 2019 

Contact:           Robert Floyd 
Executive Director, Texas Music Educators Association
(512) 452-0710, ext. 101

Senator Beverly Powell and House Public Education Committee Chair Dan Huberty were announced as co-chairs for the Texas Legislative Fine Arts Education Caucus. The caucus serves as a distribution hub for legislators to stay updated on developments impacting fine arts education in Texas public schools. 

Powell said, “I am excited to be working on an issue that is near and dear to my heart.  Having access to quality fine arts programming is critical to a well-rounded education, and increasingly important in preparing our students for the 21st-century workplace.” 

Chair Huberty commented, “This legislative session we are determined to make much needed changes to the way we fund our public schools, and we are also dedicated to making sure all students get the comprehensive educational experience they deserve.  Our caucus is committed to making sure the legislature pursues policies that promote opportunities for the kids who need them the most.”

Powell added, “I look forward to working with Chair Huberty on these important goals and objectives.  It is our duty as legislators not only to ensure all students have access to adequate state resources, but also to guarantee they have access to fine arts programs which help students develop unique development skills in collaboration, creativity, problem-solving and life-long learning – all essential elements of our future workforce.” 

Robert Floyd, Executive Director of the Texas Music Educators Association added, “The fine arts community is grateful to have these two outstanding legislators take a leading role in promoting the advantages and benefits of a fine arts education for all schoolchildren in our great state.” 

The Texas Coalition for Quality Arts Education (TCQAE) will be holding their traditional fine arts education day at the state capitol on Thursday, March 7^th.   We encourage you to witness over one hundred fine arts students performing in the rotunda from noon to 1:00 P.M. They will also visit the offices of all 181 members of the Texas Legislature to share their stories about the importance of fine arts in our schools.

Robert Floyd, Executive Director of Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) and TCQAE chair said, “On behalf of the over 1.95 million Texas schoolchildren enrolled in fine arts secondary courses across our great state, we look forward to meeting with members of the Texas legislature to share the importance of a fine arts education in nurturing the skills necessary for our state to compete in the 21^st Century.”

Floyd added, “While the legislature is now engaged in debate regarding the future of  public education funding, our mission is to make sure the legislature understands a fine arts education is an integral component in public education, and that opportunities for access to high quality arts programs must be protected.”

“Texas is not, nor has ever been, a one-size-fits-all state,” Floyd said.  “Instead, we must recognize a growing portion of our state’s economy is dependent upon the type of collaborative and creative skills that can come only through a high quality fine arts education.”

Floyd added, “We look forward to initiating a positive dialogue with the legislature to propose solutions that don’t deny our schoolchildren the critical skills they will need to compete in the 21^st-century economy.  Participation in rigorous, substantive fine arts courses will help them achieve that potential.”